📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Director - Cost Manager - Data Center Construction
Company: Turner & Townsend
Location: Mt Pleasant, Wisconsin, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Construction Management
Date Posted: 2025-08-01
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead a Cost Management team and act as the primary interface with clients throughout all project stages.
Manage financial aspects including cost control, change orders, and financial closeout to ensure successful project delivery.
Collaborate with design and construction teams to optimize resource allocation and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and lead value engineering initiatives.
Maintain a database of cost benchmarks for data center projects and input key learnings into internal databases.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a seasoned cost professional with proven expertise in cost planning, cost control, estimating, procurement, and financial management. Familiarity with MEP systems is beneficial, along with the ability to lead commercial negotiations and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Cost Management Leadership: Lead a Cost Management team, ensuring delivery on all accountabilities.
Client Interface: Act as the primary interface with clients, stakeholders, and consultants across all project stages.
Client Relationship Management: Develop strong client relationships, including potential on-site presence to facilitate delivery.
Cost Control Systems: Implement and maintain cost control systems to manage project financials.
Change Order Management: Create and manage change order logs, ensure approval protocols, and conduct audits.
Financial Closeout: Manage financial closeout, prepare final cost reconciliations and reports, and ensure all financial obligations are resolved before handover.
Cost-Saving Initiatives: Identify cost-saving opportunities and lead value engineering initiatives.
Cost-Informed Engineering: Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
Cost Benchmarking: Maintain a database of cost benchmarks for data center projects.
Resource Allocation: Collaborate with design and construction teams to optimize resource allocation.
Compliance & Quality: Ensure adherence to client policies, financial standards, and regulatory requirements. Ensure compliance with quality standards and participate in ISO audits.
Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve cost management procedures, templates, and products.
Proposals & Cross-selling: Lead proposals for new work or variations and identify cross-selling opportunities.
Networking & Promotion: Attend networking events and promotional opportunities.
Cost Checks & Valuations: Manage cost checks, valuations, and change control processes.
Funding Data Presentations: Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate VE sessions with stakeholders.
Margin & Forecast Tracking: Utilize project management tools to track margin levels and monthly forecasts.
Knowledge Sharing: Input key learnings into internal databases and share knowledge across teams.
Staff Management: Participate in staff recruitment, performance reviews, and formal management processes.
SOX Control Responsibilities: Adhere to SOX controls where applicable.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience: Minimum 8 years in cost management for large, mission-critical construction projects (e.g., Data Centers, High Tech, Industrial). MEP estimating experience is highly beneficial.

Required Skills:

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Proficiency in project management and cost estimating tools (e.g., CostX, Microsoft/G-Suite).
Experience with value management, life cycle costing, and financial reporting.
Ability to estimate at conceptual, programming, and detailed levels.
Familiarity with commit profiles, cash flow, and overall project cost structures.
RICS or equivalent accreditation is advantageous.

Preferred Skills:

Familiarity with MEP systems.
Experience with data center projects.
ISO auditing experience.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 per year (Estimated based on market research for similar roles in the United States)

Benefits:

Competitive benefits package.
Flexible working environment.
Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
Inclusive company culture with a focus on work-life balance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with potential on-site presence requirements depending on client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on market research for similar roles in the United States. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and market conditions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Global consultancy and project management services for the built environment.

Company Size: Medium to large, with over 22,000 specialists in more than 60 countries.

Founded: 1946

Team Structure:

Global organization with regional and local teams.
Collaborative and inclusive culture, with a focus on client satisfaction and employee development.
Multidisciplinary teams working on complex projects across various sectors.

Development Methodology:

Turner & Townsend uses a combination of project management methodologies, including Agile, Prince2, and bespoke approaches tailored to specific projects.
Emphasis on collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement.

Company Website: www.turnerandtownsend.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend is a global consultancy and project management services firm with a strong reputation for delivering complex projects in the built environment. The company's culture is collaborative and inclusive, with a focus on client satisfaction and employee development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: N/A - Not applicable for this role.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the relevant regional or global leadership team within Turner & Townsend's Cost Management division.

Technical Impact: As an Associate Director, you will have a significant impact on the financial success of data center construction projects. Your expertise in cost management will drive engineering decisions, optimize resource allocation, and ensure project profitability.

Growth Opportunities:

Progression to Director or Senior Director level within the Cost Management division.
Opportunities to lead larger, more complex projects or take on regional or global leadership roles.
Potential to specialize in specific sectors or service lines, such as data centers, high tech, or industrial projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth opportunities within Turner & Townsend's Cost Management division. With a strong track record of promoting from within, there is potential for progression to Director or Senior Director level, as well as opportunities to lead larger, more complex projects or take on regional or global leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office environments with a focus on employee well-being and productivity.

Office Location(s): Mt Pleasant, Wisconsin, United States (with potential on-site presence requirements depending on client needs)

Workspace Context:

Collaborative workspaces with dedicated areas for focused work and team meetings.
Access to industry-standard tools and software for cost management, project management, and data analysis.
Opportunities for remote work and flexible working arrangements, depending on project requirements and client needs.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with potential on-site presence requirements depending on client needs. Turner & Townsend offers a flexible working environment with a focus on work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's work environment is modern, collaborative, and focused on employee well-being and productivity. With a flexible working environment and opportunities for remote work, employees have the support they need to balance their personal and professional lives.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A phone or video call with the recruitment team to discuss your experience, qualifications, and career aspirations.
Technical Assessment: A detailed review of your cost management experience, with a focus on your ability to lead a team, manage project finances, and drive cost-saving initiatives.
Client Presentation: A presentation to a panel of clients and stakeholders, demonstrating your understanding of the data center construction market and your ability to deliver successful projects.
Final Interview: A meeting with the relevant regional or global leadership team to discuss your fit within the Turner & Townsend organization and your long-term career goals.

Portfolio Review Tips: N/A - Not applicable for this role.

Technical Challenge Preparation: Familiarize yourself with Turner & Townsend's approach to cost management, project delivery, and client engagement. Prepare examples of your experience leading cost management teams, managing project finances, and driving cost-saving initiatives.

ATS Keywords: Cost Management, Quantity Surveying, Cost Planning, Cost Control, Estimating, Procurement, Financial Management, MEP Systems, Commercial Negotiations, Analytical Skills, Problem-Solving, Communication Skills, Project Management, Value Management, Life Cycle Costing, Financial Reporting, Data Center Construction, High Tech, Industrial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's interview process is designed to assess your technical expertise in cost management, as well as your ability to lead a team, manage project finances, and drive cost-saving initiatives. Familiarize yourself with the company's approach to cost management, project delivery, and client engagement to prepare for the technical assessment and client presentation.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Turner & Townsend's values include integrity, collaboration, passion, and innovation. These values are reflected in the company's approach to cost management, project delivery, and client engagement.

Collaboration Style:

Turner & Townsend fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture, with a focus on teamwork, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
The company encourages open communication and active engagement with clients, stakeholders, and team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: Turner & Townsend's culture is collaborative and inclusive, with a focus on teamwork, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning. The company encourages open communication and active engagement with clients, stakeholders, and team members.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Managing project finances for large, complex data center construction projects.
Identifying cost-saving opportunities and driving value engineering initiatives.
Collaborating with design and construction teams to optimize resource allocation and ensure project profitability.
Ensuring compliance with client policies, financial standards, and regulatory requirements.
Managing financial closeout and preparing final cost reconciliations and reports.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Turner & Townsend offers a range of learning and development opportunities, including:
- On-the-job training and mentoring.
- Formal training programs and workshops.
- Access to industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities.
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and gain exposure to different sectors and service lines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant technical challenges and learning opportunities. As an Associate Director, you will have the opportunity to manage project finances for large, complex data center construction projects, identify cost-saving opportunities, and collaborate with design and construction teams to optimize resource allocation and ensure project profitability.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Cost Management: Describe your experience with cost planning, cost control, estimating, procurement, and financial management. Provide examples of your ability to lead a cost management team, manage project finances, and drive cost-saving initiatives.
Data Center Construction: Discuss your understanding of the data center construction market and your experience with data center projects. Explain how you approach cost management for data center projects and how you ensure project profitability.
Client Engagement: Describe your experience working with clients and stakeholders. Explain how you build strong client relationships and ensure client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.

Company & Culture Questions:

Turner & Townsend: Research Turner & Townsend's approach to cost management, project delivery, and client engagement. Prepare questions to demonstrate your understanding of the company's values and culture.
Team Fit: Explain how your skills, experience, and career aspirations align with the role and Turner & Townsend's culture. Describe your approach to teamwork, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy: N/A - Not applicable for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare for the technical assessment by reviewing your cost management experience, understanding the data center construction market, and familiarizing yourself with Turner & Townsend's approach to cost management, project delivery, and client engagement. For the client presentation, focus on your ability to lead a team, manage project finances, and drive cost-saving initiatives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Director - Cost Manager - Data Center Construction position:

Submit your application through the application link provided.
Tailor your resume to highlight your cost management experience, technical skills, and career aspirations.
Prepare for the technical assessment by reviewing your cost management experience, understanding the data center construction market, and familiarizing yourself with Turner & Townsend's approach to cost management, project delivery, and client engagement.
Research Turner & Townsend's culture, values, and approach to cost management, project delivery, and client engagement to prepare for the client presentation and final interview.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Turner & Townsend before making application decisions.

Associate Director - Cost Manager - Data Center Construction